System and method to efficiently switch between paper, electronic and audio versions of documents

Abstract

A system and method for automatically and conveniently switching among paper, electronic and/or audio forms of a document or other data file by utilizing specialized versions and devices. Each version of the document has a plurality of identifying indicators representing specific locations. The accessing device automatically identifies the indicator associated with the last location accessed and transmits that indicator to other devices by a communication means. Those other devices then access the location in the alternative version corresponding to the location last accessed in the first version. The invention also allows for coordinated access to a document by multiple users on a number or variety of devices.

1 . A method for synchronizing the accessing of data in a document on a plurality of devices, comprising the steps of: 
 a) within a first version of a document associated with a first device capable of making that document perceptible to a user, identifying a plurality of predetermined locations;    b) assigning a unique indicator to each of said locations within said first version of said document;    c) storing said first version of said document and said location indicators on media capable of being accessed by said first device;    d) determining the particular location indicator associated with the last location accessed by a user within said first version of said document on said first device;    e) transmitting from said first device said particular location indicator to at least one alternative device capable of accessing media containing an alternative version of said document and containing corresponding location indicators;    f) processing said transmitted particular location indicator on said alternative device so as to locate, in said alternative version of said document, the location indicator that corresponds to said particular location indicator transmitted by said first device;    g) in said alternative version of said document, accessing the data associated with said corresponding location indicator; and    h) making said data perceptible to a user.    
   
   
       2 . The method described in  claim 1  in which said transmitting process by said first device is continuously implemented.  
   
   
       3 . The method described in  claim 1  in which said transmitting process by said first device is automatically implemented.  
   
   
       4 . The method described in  claim 3  in which said transmitting process by said first device is implemented a plurality of times.  
   
   
       5 . The method described in  claim 1  in which said transmitting process is an audio signal and said alternative device utilizes a sound processing system.  
   
   
       6 . The method described in  claim 1  in which said transmitting process by said first device occurs upon the intervention of a user of the data.  
   
   
       7 . The method described in  claim 1  in which said transmitting process is the human voice and said alternative device utilizes a voice recognition process.  
   
   
       8 . The method described in  claim 1  in which said transmitting process is manual data entry.  
   
   
       9 . The method described in  claim 1  in which: 
 a) said transmitted data is stored on media capable of being accessed by said alternative device if, at the time of transmission, said alternative version of said document is not accessible on said alternative device; and    b) upon said alternative version of said document on said alternative device becoming accessible, said stored transmitted data is processed on said alternative device in accordance with the steps in  claim 1 .    
   
   
       10 . A method for selecting a document and synchronizing the accessing of data in said document on a plurality of devices, comprising the steps of: 
 a) assigning a unique document identifier to a document;    b) within a first version of said document associated with a first device capable of making that document perceptible to a user, identifying a plurality of predetermined locations;    c) assigning a unique indicator to each of said locations within said first version of said document;    d) storing said first version of said document, said location indicators and said unique document identifier on media capable of being accessed by said first device;    e) determining the particular location indicator associated with the last location accessed by a user within said first version of said document on said first device;    f) transmitting from said first device said particular location indicator and said document identifier to at least one alternative device capable of accessing media containing an alternative version of said document and containing a corresponding document identifier and corresponding location indicators;    g) processing said transmitted document identifier on said alternative device so as to identify and select said alternative version of said document, which alternative version has a document identifier that corresponds to said transmitted document identifier;    h) if a document identifier that corresponds to said transmitted document identifier is present in said alternative version, processing said transmitted particular location indicator so as to locate, in said alternative version of said document, the location indicator that corresponds to said particular location indicator transmitted by said first device;    i) in said alternative version of said document, accessing the data associated with said corresponding location indicator; and    j) making said data perceptible to a user.    
   
   
       11 . The method described in  claim 10  in which the form of said transmission occurrence by said first device is selected from the group consisting of: 
 a) continuously;    b) automatically;    c) a plurality of times;    d) upon the intervention of a user of the data;    e) utilizing an audio signal and said alternative device utilizes a sound processing system;    f) utilizing the human voice and said alternative device utilizes a voice recognition process; and    g) utilizing manual data entry    
   
   
       12 . The method described in  claim 10  in which said selection of said alternative version of said document is made automatically by said alternative device.  
   
   
       13 . The method described in  claim 10  in which said selection of said alternative version of said document occurs upon the intervention of a user of the data.  
   
   
       14 . The method described in  claim 10  in which: 
 a) said transmitted data is stored on media capable of being accessed by said alternative device if, at the time of transmission, at least one of the following conditions exist on said alternative device: 
 i) said corresponding document identifier is not accessible;  
 ii) said corresponding alternative version of said document is not accessible; and  
   b) upon said document identifier and said document becoming accessible on said alternative device alternative, said stored transmitted data is processed on said alternative device in accordance with the steps in  claim 8 .    
   
   
       15 . A method for selecting a document associated with a particular user and synchronizing the accessing of data in said document on a plurality of devices, comprising the steps of: 
 a) assigning a unique document identifier to a document;    b) within a first version of said document associated with a first device capable of making that document perceptible to a user, identifying a plurality of predetermined locations;    c) assigning a unique indicator to each of said locations within said first version of said document;    d) assigning a unique identifier to a particular user;    e) storing said first version of said document, said unique document identifier, said user identifier and said location indicators on media capable of being accessed by said first device;    f) determining the particular location indicator associated with the last location accessed by a user within said first version of said document on said first device;    g) transmitting, from said first device, said location indicator, said document identifier and said user identifier to an alternative device capable of accessing media containing an alternative version of said document and containing a corresponding document identifier and corresponding location indicators;    h) processing said transmitted user indicator on said alternative device to determine whether there is a corresponding user indicator associated with said alternative device,    i) if said corresponding user identifier is present, processing said transmitted document identifier on said alternative device so as to identify and select said alternative version of said document, which alternative version has a document identifier that corresponds to said transmitted document identifier;    j) if a document identifier that corresponds to said transmitted document identifier is present in said alternative version, processing said transmitted particular location indicator so as to locate, in said alternative version of said document , the location indicator that corresponds to said particular location indicator transmitted by said first device;    k) and in said alternative version of said document, accessing the data associated with said corresponding location indicator; and    l) making said data perceptible to a user.    
   
   
       16 . The method described in  claim 15  in which the form of said transmission occurrence by said first device is selected from the group consisting of: 
 transmitting process by said first device is implemented in at least one of the following manners:    a) continuously;    b) automatically;    c) a plurality of times;    d) upon the intervention of a user of the data;    e) utilizing an audio signal and said alternative device utilizes a sound processing system;    f) utilizing the human voice and said alternative device utilizes a voice recognition process;    g) utilizing manual data entry    
   
   
       17 . The method described in  claim 15  in which said selection of said alternative version of said document is made automatically by said alternative device.  
   
   
       18 . The method described in  claim 15  in which said selection of said alternative version of said document occurs upon the intervention of a user of the data.  
   
   
       19 . The method described in  claim 16  in which selection among a plurality of users is made automatically by said alternative device.  
   
   
       20 . The method described in  claim 15  in which selection among a plurality of users occurs upon the intervention of a user of the data.  
   
   
       21 . The method described in  claim 15  in which: 
 a) the transmitted data is stored on media capable of being accessed by said alternative device if, at the time of transmission, one or more of the following conditions exist on said alternative device: 
 i) said corresponding user identifier is not accessible;  
 ii) said corresponding document identifier is not accessible;  
 iii) said corresponding alternative version of said document is not accessible; and  
   b) upon said user identifier, said document identifier and said document becoming accessible on said alternative device, said stored transmitted data is processed on said alternative device in accordance with the steps in  claim 16 .    
   
   
       22 . A method for synchronizing the accessing of data stored on a plurality of devices with different capabilities, comprising the steps of: 
 a) establishing a standardized catalog of types of data elements that may occur in a document;    b) assigning a standardized data type marker to each type of data element, one of which said markers may be a null or no identifier;    c) identifying the type of each data element within a first version of a document associated with a first device capable of 
 i) accessing one or more types of data elements within said first version of said document; and  
 ii) making one or more of those types of data elements perceptible to a user;  
   d) assigning one of said standardized data type markers to each data element within said first version of said document;    e) within said first version of said document, identifying a plurality of predetermined locations;    f) assigning a unique indicator to each of said locations within said first version of said document;    g) storing said first version of said document, said standardized data type markers and said location indicators on media capable of being accessed by said first device;    h) determining which of said standard types of data elements said first device is capable of accessing;    i) storing a record within said first device indicating which said types of data elements said first device is capable of accessing;    j) determining the location indicators associated with each location accessed by a user which said first device skipped because it was not capable of accessing such skipped data;    k) determining the particular location indicator associated with the last location accessed by a user within said first version of said document on said first device;    l) transmitting from said first device said particular location indicator and said skipped data markers to an alternative device capable of accessing media containing an alternative version of said document;    m) determining which of said standard types of data elements said alternative device is capable of accessing;    n) storing a record within said alternative device reflecting said types of data elements said alternative device is capable of accessing;    o) processing said skipped location indicators on said alternative device so as to locate, in said alternative version of said document alternative on said alternative device, said location indicators that corresponds to said skipped location indicators transmitted by said first device;    p) processing said standardized data type markers as they are encountered within said document on said alternative device;    q) if said alternative device is capable of accessing said type of data element associated with said skipped location indicators, accessing some portion of said skipped data in said alternative version of said document associated with said corresponding location indicators; and    r) making some portion of said skipped data perceptible to a user;    s) if said alternative device is not capable of accessing said type of data element, transmitting said skipped location indicators to any other device capable of accessing one or more types of data elements within said document.    
   
   
       23 . The method described in  claim 22  wherein at least one of said devices implements the steps of: 
 a) processing said particular transmitted location indicator on said alternative device so as to locate, in said alternative version of said document, said particular location indicator that corresponds to said particular location indicator transmitted by said first device;    b) processing said standardized data type markers as they are encountered within said document on said alternative device;    c) if said alternative device is capable of accessing said type of data element, accessing said data in said alternative version of said document associated with said corresponding location indicator; and    d) making said data perceptible to a user;    e) if said alternative device is not capable of accessing said type of data element, transmitting said particular location indicator and skipped location indicators to any other device capable of accessing one or more types of data elements within said document.    
   
   
       24 . The method described in  claim 22  wherein at least one of said devices provides an indication to a user when said device encounters a data element that said device is not capable of accessing.  
   
   
       25 . The method described in  claim 22  wherein at least one of said devices provides an indication to a user when device encounters a data element that said device is not capable of accessing and said indication describes the type of data element that has been encountered.  
   
   
       26 . The method described in  claim 22  wherein at least one of said devices provides an indication to the user when said device encounters a data element that said device is not capable of accessing, each such data element has a specific description of the material that cannot be accessed and said device provides said description to said user utilizing a data type that said device is capable of accessing.  
   
   
       27 . The method described in  claim 22  in which the form of said transmission occurrence by said first device is selected from the group consisting of: 
 a) continuously;    b) automatically;    c) a plurality of times;    d) upon the intervention of a user of the data;    e) utilizing an audio signal and said alternative device utilizes a sound processing system;    f) utilizing the human voice and said alternative device utilizes a voice recognition process;    g) utilizing manual data entry    
   
   
       28 . The method described in  claim 22  wherein said alternative device offers a user the option of accessing said data elements that said alternative device is capable of accessing and the locations of which data elements have been reached but not accessed by said user while accessing corresponding versions of said document on another device.  
   
   
       29 . A method for synchronizing the accessing of data in a document which exists in a plurality of versions, comprising the steps of: 
 a) within a first version of a document that is in printed form, identifying a plurality of predetermined locations;    b) assigning a unique indicator to each of said locations within said first version of said document;    c) recording said location indicators on the printed form of said first version;    d) determining the particular location indicator associated with the last location accessed by a user within said first version of said document;    e) transmitting from said first version said particular location indicator to at least a first device capable of accessing media containing an alternative version of said document and containing corresponding location indicators;    f) processing said transmitted particular location indicator on said first device so as to locate, in said alternative version of said document, the location indicator that corresponds to said particular location indicator transmitted by said first device;    g) in said alternative version of said document, accessing the data associated with said corresponding location indicator and    h) making said data perceptible to a user.    
   
   
       30 . The method described in  claim 29  in which said transmitting process is manual data entry.  
   
   
       31 . The method described in  claim 29  in which said transmitting process is implemented by exposing said particular location indicator to an optical receptor.  
   
   
       32 . The method described in  claim 29  in which said transmitting process is implemented by exposing said particular location indicator to an electromagnetic receptor.  
   
   
       33 . The method described in  claim 29  in which said transmitting process is the human voice and said alternative device utilizes a voice recognition process.  
   
   
       34 . The method described in  claim 29  in which: 
 a) said first device transmits a particular location indicator to at least one alternative device capable of accessing media containing a second alternative version of said document and containing corresponding location indicators;    b) said alternative device: 
 i) processes said transmitted particular location indicator so as to locate, in said second alternative version of said document, the location indicator that corresponds to said particular location indicator transmitted by said first device;  
 ii) accesses the data in said second alternative version of said document, associated with said corresponding location indicator; and  
 iii) makes said data perceptible to a user.  
   
   
   
       35 . A method for synchronizing the accessing of data in a document on a plurality of devices, comprising the steps of: 
 a) within a first version of a document associated with a first device capable of making that document perceptible to a user, identifying a plurality of predetermined locations;    b) assigning a unique indicator to each of said locations within said first version of said document;    c) storing said first version of said document and said location indicators on media capable of being accessed by said first device;    d) determining the particular location indicator associated with the last location accessed by a user within said first version of said document on said first device;    e) transmitting from said first device said particular location indicator to at least one alternative device capable of 
 i) accessing media containing an alternative version of said document and containing corresponding location indicators; and  
 ii) printing some portion of said document;  
   f) processing said transmitted particular location indicator on said alternative device so as to locate, in said alternative version of said document, the location indicator that corresponds to said particular location indicator transmitted by said first device;    g) in said alternative version of said document, accessing the data associated with said corresponding location indicator; and    h) printing some portion of said document beginning with said data associated with said corresponding location indicator.    
   
   
       36 . The method described in  claim 35  in which the form of said transmission occurrence by said first device is selected from the group consisting of: 
 a) continuously;    b) automatically;    c) a plurality of times;    d) upon the intervention of a user of the data;    e) utilizing an audio signal and said alternative device utilizes a sound processing system;    f) utilizing the human voice and said alternative device utilizes a voice recognition process;    g) utilizing manual data entry    
   
   
       37 . A method for synchronizing the accessing of data in a document on a plurality of devices, comprising the steps of: 
 a) within a first version of a document associated with a first device capable of making that document perceptible to a user, identifying a plurality of predetermined locations;    b) assigning a unique indicator to each of said locations within said first version of said document;    c) storing said first version of said document and said location indicators on media capable of being accessed by said first device;    d) determining the particular location indicator associated with the last location accessed by a user within said first version of said document on said first device;    e) transmitting from said first device some portion of said document and said particular location indicator to at least one alternative device capable of 
 i) receiving some portion of said document and particular location indicator;  
 ii) storing said portion and particular location indicator;  
 iii) printing some portion of said document;  
   f) processing said transmitted particular location indicator on said alternative device so as to locate, in said transmitted portion of said document, the location indicator that corresponds to said particular location indicator transmitted by said first device;    g) in said transmitted portion of said document, accessing the data associated with said corresponding location indicator; and    h) printing some portion of said document beginning with said data associated with said corresponding location indicator.    
   
   
       38 . The method described in  claim 37  in which the form of said transmission occurrence by said first device is selected from the group consisting of: 
 a) continuously;    b) automatically;    c) a plurality of times;    d) upon the intervention of a user of the data;    e) utilizing an audio signal and said alternative device utilizes a sound processing system;    f) utilizing the human voice and said alternative device utilizes a voice recognition process;    g) utilizing manual data entry    
   
   
       39 . A system which synchronizes the accessing of data in a document stored on a plurality of devices, comprising 
 a) a first version of a document which contains: 
 i) a plurality of predetermined locations within said first version, and  
 ii) a plurality of unique indicators associated with said predetermined locations within said first version of said document;  
   b) a first device containing at least: 
 i) a means of accessing storage media on which said first version of a document and said location indicators are stored;  
 ii) a transducer capable of making said first version perceptible to a user;  
 iii) a mechanism for determining the particular location indicator associated with the last location accessed by a user within said first version of said document;  
 iv) a transmitter for transmitting said particular location indicator to an alternative device;  
   c) at least one alternative version of said document which contains a plurality of predetermined locations within said alternative version which correspond to predetermined locations within said first version;    d) a plurality of unique identifiers associated with said predetermined locations within said alternative version;    e) an alternative device containing: 
 i) a means of accessing storage media on which said alternative version of a document and said location indicators are stored;  
 ii) a transducer for making said alternative version perceptible to a user;  
 iii) a receiver for receiving from said first device, said transmitted particular location indicator;  
 iv) processor of said transmitted particular location indicator capable of locating, in said alternative version of said document, the location indicator that corresponds to said particular location indicator transmitted by said first device;  
 v) a mechanism for accessing the data in said alternative version of said document associated with said corresponding location indicator; and  
 vi) a transducer capable of making said data perceptible to a user.  
   
   
   
       40 . The system described in  claim 39  in which said transmitter in said first device operates continuously.  
   
   
       41 . The system described in  claim 39  in which said transmitter in said first device operates automatically.  
   
   
       42 . The system described in  claim 39  in which said transmitter in said first device operates a plurality of times.  
   
   
       43 . The system described in  claim 39  in which said transmitter in said first device utilizes a sound processing system.  
   
   
       44 . The system described in  claim 39  in which said transmitter in said first device operates upon the intervention of a user of the data.  
   
   
       45 . The system described in  claim 39  in which said transmitter in said first device utilizes a voice recognition process.  
   
   
       46 . The system described in  claim 39  in which said transmitter in said first device utilizes manual data entry.  
   
   
       47 . The system described in  claim 39  in which: 
 a) said transmitted data is stored on media capable of being accessed by said alternative device if, at the time of transmission, said alternative version of said document is not accessible on said alternative device; and    b) said alternative device is capable of processing said stored transmitted data as provided in  claim 39  upon said document identifier and said document becoming accessible on said alternative device.    
   
   
       48 . A system which synchronizes the accessing of data in a document stored on a plurality of devices, comprising 
 a) a first version of a document which contains: 
 i) a unique document identifier,  
 ii) a plurality of predetermined locations within said first version, and  
 iii) a plurality of unique indicators associated with said predetermined locations within said first version of said document;  
   b) a first device containing at least: 
 i) a means of accessing storage media on which said unique document identifier, said first version of a document and said location indicators are stored;  
 ii) a transducer capable of making said first version perceptible to a user;  
 iii) a mechanism for determining the particular location indicator associated with the last location accessed by a user within said first version of said document;  
 iv) a transmitter for transmitting said unique document identifier and said particular location indicator to an alternative device;  
   c) at least one alternative version of said document which contains; 
 i) a unique document identifier,  
 ii) a plurality of predetermined locations within said alternative version which correspond to predetermined locations within said first version;  
 iii) a plurality of unique identifiers associated with said predetermined locations within said alternative version;  
   d) an alternative device containing: 
 i) a means of accessing storage media on which said unique document identifier, said alternative version of a document and said location indicators are stored;  
 ii) a transducer for making said alternative version perceptible to a user;  
 iii) a receiver for receiving from said first device, said transmitted unique document identifier and said particular location indicator;  
 iv) a processor capable of: 
 1) recognizing said transmitted document identifier so as to identify and select said alternative version of said document, which alternative version has a document identifier that corresponds to said transmitted document identifier;  
 2) if a document identifier that corresponds to said transmitted document identifier is present in said alternative version, processing said transmitted particular location indicator so as to locate, in said alternative version of said document, the location indicator that corresponds to said particular location indicator transmitted by said first device;  
 3) processing said transmitted particular location indicator capable of locating, in said alternative version of said document, the location indicator that corresponds to said particular location indicator transmitted by said first device;  
 
 v) a mechanism for accessing the data in said alternative version of said document associated with said corresponding location indicator; and  
 vi) a transducer capable of making said data perceptible to a user.  
   
   
   
       49 . The system described in  claim 48  in which the form of said transmission occurrence by said first device is selected from the group consisting of: 
 a) continuously;    b) automatically;    c) a plurality of times;    d) upon the intervention of a user of the data;    e) utilizing an audio signal and said alternative device utilizes a sound processing system;    f) utilizing the human voice and said alternative device utilizes a voice recognition process;    g) utilizing manual data entry    
   
   
       50 . The system described in  claim 48  in which said processor in said alternative device selects said alternative version of said document automatically.  
   
   
       51 . The system described in  claim 48  in which said processor in said alternative device selects said alternative version of said document upon the intervention of a user of the data.  
   
   
       52 . The system described in  claim 48  in which: 
 a) said transmitted data is stored on media capable of being accessed by said alternative device if, at the time of transmission, at least one of the following conditions exist on said alternative device: 
 i) said corresponding document identifier is not accessible;  
 ii) said corresponding alternative version of said document is not accessible; and  
   b) said alternative device is capable of processing said stored transmitted data as provided in  claim 48  upon said document identifier and said document becoming accessible on said alternative device.    
   
   
       53 . A system which synchronizes the accessing of data in a document stored on a plurality of devices, comprising 
 a) a first version of a document which contains: 
 i) a unique document identifier,  
 ii) an identifier unique to a particular user  
 iii) a plurality of predetermined locations within said first version, and  
 iv) a plurality of unique indicators associated with said predetermined locations within said first version of said document;  
   b) a first device containing at least: 
 i) a means of accessing storage media on which said unique document identifier, said user identifier, said first version of a document and said location indicators are stored;  
 ii) a transducer capable of making said first version perceptible to a user;  
 iii) a mechanism for determining the particular location indicator associated with the last location accessed by a user within said first version of said document;  
 iv) a transmitter for transmitting said unique document identifier, said user identifier and said particular location indicator to an alternative device;  
   c) at least one alternative version of said document which contains; 
 i) a unique document identifier,  
 ii) an identifier unique to a particular user,  
 iii) a plurality of predetermined locations within said alternative version which correspond to predetermined locations within said first version;  
 iv) a plurality of unique identifiers associated with said predetermined locations within said alternative version;  
   e) an alternative device containing: 
 i) a means of accessing storage media on which said unique document identifier, said user identifier, said alternative version of a document and said location indicators are stored;  
 ii) a transducer for making said alternative version perceptible to a user;  
 iii) a receiver for receiving from said first device, said transmitted unique document identifier, said user identifier and said particular location indicator;  
 iv) a processor capable of: 
 1) recognizing said transmitted user indicator so as to determine whether there is a corresponding user indicator associated with said alternative device,  
 2) if said corresponding user identifier is present, processing said transmitted document identifier so as to identify and select said alternative version of said document, which alternative version has a document identifier that corresponds to said transmitted document identifier;  
 3) if a document identifier that corresponds to said transmitted document identifier is present in said alternative version, processing said transmitted particular location indicator so as to locate, in said alternative version of said document, the location indicator that corresponds to said particular location indicator transmitted by said first device;  
 4) processing said transmitted particular location indicator capable of locating, in said alternative version of said document, the location indicator that corresponds to said particular location indicator transmitted by said first device;  
 
 v) a mechanism for accessing the data in said alternative version of said document associated with said corresponding location indicator; and  
 vi) a transducer capable of making said data perceptible to a user.  
   
   
   
       54 . The system described in  claim 53  in which the form of said transmission occurrence by said first device is selected from the group consisting of: 
 a) continuously;    b) automatically;    c) a plurality of times;    d) upon the intervention of a user of the data;    e) utilizing an audio signal and said alternative device utilizes a sound processing system;    f) utilizing the human voice and said alternative device utilizes a voice recognition process;    g) utilizing manual data entry    
   
   
       55 . The system described in  claim 53  in which said processor in said alternative device selects said alternative version of said document automatically.  
   
   
       56 . The system described in  claim 53  in which said processor in said alternative device selects said alternative version of said document upon the intervention of a user of the data.  
   
   
       57 . The system described in  claim 53  in which said processor in said alternative device selects among a plurality of users automatically.  
   
   
       58 . The system described in  claim 53  in which said processor in said alternative device selects among a plurality of users upon the intervention of a user of the data.  
   
   
       59 . The system described in  claim 53  in which: 
 a) the transmitted data is stored on media capable of being accessed by said alternative device if, at the time of transmission, one or more of the following conditions exist on said alternative device: 
 i) said corresponding user identifier is not accessible;  
 ii) said corresponding document identifier is not accessible;  
 iii) said corresponding alternative version of said document is not accessible; and  
   b) said alternative device is capable of processing said stored transmitted data as provided in  claim 53  upon said document identifier and said document becoming accessible on said alternative device.    
   
   
       60 . A system which synchronizes the accessing of data in a document stored on a plurality of devices, comprising 
 a) a standardized catalog of types of data elements that may occur in a document;    b) a set of standardized data type markers each of which is associated with a said type of data element, one of which said markers may be a null or no identifier;    c) a first version of a document containing 
 i) at least one type of said data elements;  
 ii) at least one standardized data type marker associated with a said data element  
 iii) a plurality of predetermined locations;  
 iv) a plurality of unique indicators associated with said predetermined locations;  
   d) a first device capable of 
 i) accessing one or more said types of data elements within said first version of said document;  
 ii) making one or more of said types of data elements perceptible to a user;  
 iii) determining which of said standard types of data elements within said first version of a document said first device is capable of accessing;  
 iv) storing a record within said first device reflecting said types of data elements said first device is capable of accessing;  
 v) accessing storage media on which said first version of a document, said standardized data type markers and said location indicators are stored;  
 vi) determining the particular location indicator associated with the last location accessed by a user within said first version of said document;  
 vii) transmitting said particular location indicator to an alternative device;  
 viii) determining any location indicators associated with data elements within said first version of said document which said first device was not capable of accessing;  
 ix) transmitting said location indicators associated with data elements within said first version of said document which said first device was not capable of accessing to an alternative device;  
   e) an alternative device capable of: 
 i) containing an alternative version of said document; and  
 ii) accessing the data in said alternative version of said document associated with said corresponding location indicator;  
   f) in an alternative device capable of accessing media containing an alternative version of said document associated with said first version of said document, determining which of said standard types of data elements said alternative device is capable of accessing;    g) storing a record within said alternative device reflecting said types of data elements said alternative device is capable of accessing;    h) transmitting from said first device said particular location indicator to said alternative device;    i) processing said particular transmitted location indicator on said alternative device so as to locate, in said alternative version of said document on said alternative device, said particular location indicator that corresponds to said particular location indicator transmitted by said first device;    j) accessing the data in said alternative version of said document associated with said corresponding location indicator;    k) processing said standardized data type markers as they are encountered within said document on said alternative device;    l) determining if said alternative device is capable of accessing said type of data element:    m) accessing said data.    
   
   
       61 . The system described in  claim 60  in which said alternative device is capable of transmitting said particular location indicator to any other device capable of accessing one or more types of data elements within said document if said alternative device is not capable of accessing said type of data element.  
   
   
       62 . The system described in  claim 60  wherein at least one of said devices is capable of providing an indication to a user when said device encounters a data element that said device is not capable of accessing.  
   
   
       63 . The system described in  claim 60  wherein at least one of said devices is capable of providing an indication to a user when device encounters a data element that said device is not capable of accessing and describing the type of data element that has been encountered.  
   
   
       64 . The system described in  claim 60  wherein at least one of said devices is capable of providing an indication to the user when said device encounters a data element that said device is not capable of accessing, providing a specific description of the material that cannot be accessed and providing said description to said user utilizing a data type that said device is capable of accessing.  
   
   
       65 . The system described in  claim 60  in which the form of said transmission occurrence by said first device is selected from the group consisting of: 
 a) continuously;    b) automatically;    c) a plurality of times;    d) upon the intervention of a user of the data;    e) utilizing an audio signal and said alternative device utilizes a sound processing system;    f) utilizing the human voice and said alternative device utilizes a voice recognition process;    g) utilizing manual data entry    
   
   
       66 . The system described in  claim 60  wherein said alternative device is capable of offering a user the option of accessing said data elements on said alternative version of said document which have been skipped while accessing a corresponding version of said document on another device.  
   
   
       67 . A system which synchronizes the accessing of data in a document stored on a plurality of devices, comprising: 
 a) a first version of a document that is in printed form, which contains: 
 i) a plurality of predetermined locations within said first version, and  
 ii) a plurality of unique indicators associated with said predetermined locations on the printed form of said document;  
   b) a first device containing at least: 
 i) a means of accessing storage media on which an alternative version of said document and said location indicators are stored;  
 ii) a transducer capable of making said alternative version perceptible to a user;  
 iii) a mechanism for determining the particular location indicator associated with the last location accessed by a user within said first version of said document;  
 iv) a receiver capable of perceiving the location indicator that corresponds to the last location accessed by a user of the data;  
 v) processor capable of locating, in said alternative version of said document, the location indicator that corresponds to said last location indicator perceived by said first device;  
 vi) a mechanism for accessing the data in said alternative version of said document associated with said corresponding location indicator; and  
 vii) a transducer capable of making said data perceptible to a user.  
   
   
   
       68 . The system described in  claim 67  in which said receiver utilizes manual data entry.  
   
   
       69 . The system described in  claim 67  in which said receiver utilizes an optical receptor.  
   
   
       70 . The system described in  claim 67  in which said receiver utilizes an electromagnetic receptor.  
   
   
       71 . The system described in  claim 67  in which said receiver utilizes a voice recognition process.  
   
   
       72 . The system described in  claim 67  in which contains: 
 a) said first device which also contains a transmitter for transmitting said particular location indicator to an alternative device;    b) an alternative device containing: 
 i) a means of accessing storage media on which a second alternative version of said document and said location indicators are stored;  
 ii) a transducer for making said alternative version perceptible to a user;  
 iii) a receiver for receiving from said first device, said transmitted particular location indicator;  
 iv) processor of said transmitted particular location indicator capable of locating, in said alternative version of said document, the location indicator that corresponds to said particular location indicator transmitted by said first device;  
 v) a mechanism for accessing the data in said alternative version of said document associated with said corresponding location indicator; and  
 vi) a transducer capable of making said data perceptible to a user.  
   
   
   
       73 . A system which synchronizes the accessing of data in a document on a plurality of devices, comprising: 
 a) a first version of a document which contains: 
 i) a plurality of predetermined locations within said first version, and  
 ii) a plurality of unique indicators associated with said predetermined locations within said first version of said document;  
   b) a first device containing at least: 
 i) a means of accessing storage media on which said first version of a document and said location indicators are stored;  
 ii) a transducer capable of making said first version perceptible to a user;  
 iii) a mechanism for determining the particular location indicator associated with the last location accessed by a user within said first version of said document;  
 iv) a transmitter for transmitting said particular location indicator to an alternative device;  
   c) at least one alternative version of said document which contains: 
 i) a plurality of predetermined locations within said alternative version which correspond to predetermined locations within said first version; and  
 ii) a plurality of unique identifiers associated with said predetermined locations within said alternative version;  
   d) at least one alternative device capable of 
 i) accessing media containing an alternative version of said document and containing corresponding location indicators; and  
 ii) printing some portion of said document  
 iii) processing said transmitted particular location indicator on said alternative device so as to locate, in said transmitted portion of said document, the location indicator that corresponds to said particular location indicator transmitted by said first device;  
 iv) in said transmitted portion of said document, accessing the data associated with said corresponding location indicator; and  
 v) printing some portion of said document beginning with said data associated with said corresponding location indicator.  
   
   
   
       74 . The system described in  claim 73  in which the form of said transmission occurrence by said first device is selected from the group consisting of: 
 a) continuously;    b) automatically;    c) a plurality of times;    d) upon the intervention of a user of the data;    e) utilizing an audio signal and said alternative device utilizes a sound processing system;    f) utilizing the human voice and said alternative device utilizes a voice recognition process;    g) utilizing manual data entry    
   
   
       75 . A system which synchronizes the accessing of data in a document on a plurality of devices, comprising: 
 a) a first version of a document which contains: 
 i) a plurality of predetermined locations within said first version, and  
 ii) a plurality of unique indicators associated with said predetermined locations within said first version of said document;  
   b) a first device containing at least: 
 i) a means of accessing storage media on which said first version of a document and said location indicators are stored;  
 ii) a transducer capable of making said first version perceptible to a user;  
 iii) a mechanism for determining the particular location indicator associated with the last location accessed by a user within said first version of said document;  
 iv) a transmitter for transmitting some portion of said document and said particular location indicator to an alternative device;  
   c) at least one alternative device capable of 
 i) receiving said transmitted portion of said document and said particular location indicator;  
 iii) processing said transmitted particular location indicator on said alternative device so as to locate, in said transmitted portion of said document, the location that corresponds to said particular location indicator transmitted by said first device;  
 iv) in said transmitted portion of said document, accessing the data associated with said corresponding location indicator; and  
 v) printing some portion of said document beginning with said data associated with said corresponding location indicator.  
   
   
   
       76 . The system described in  claim 75  in which the form of said transmission occurrence by said first device is selected from the group consisting of: 
 a) continuously;    b) automatically;    c) a plurality of times;    d) upon the intervention of a user of the data;    e) utilizing an audio signal and said alternative device utilizes a sound processing system;    f) utilizing the human voice and said alternative device utilizes a voice recognition process;    g) utilizing manual data entry    
   
   
       77 . A device consisting of a: 
 a) a mechanism for accessing storage media on which 
 i) a first version of a document containing a plurality of predetermined locations is stored;  
 ii) a unique indicator assigned to each of said predetermined locations within said first version of said document are stored;  
   b) a means of determining the particular location indicator associated with the last location accessed by a user within said first version of said document;    c) a transmitter for transmitting said particular location indicator to an alternative device;    d) a transducer capable of making said first version perceptible to a user;    e) a mechanism for receiving from an alternative device, transmitted particular location indicators;    f) a means of processing said transmitted particular location indicators so as to locate, in a version of said document, the location indicator that corresponds to said particular location indicator transmitted by said alternative device;    g) a means for accessing the data in said alternative version of said document associated with said corresponding location indicator; and    h) a transducer capable of making said data perceptible to a user.    
   
   
       78 . The device described in  claim 77  in which said mechanism for receiving particular location indicators from an alternative device is an optical scanning mechanism.  
   
   
       79 . The device described in  claim 77  in which said mechanism for receiving particular location indicators from an alternative device is an electromagnetic receptor mechanism.  
   
   
       80 . The device described in  claim 77  in which said mechanism for receiving particular location indicators from an alternative device is a manual data entry mechanism.  
   
   
       81 . The device described in  claim 77  in which said means for receiving particular location indicators from an alternative device is a voice recognition system.  
   
   
       82 . A device consisting of a: 
 a) a mechanism for accessing storage media on which 
 i) a first version of a document containing a plurality of predetermined locations is stored;  
 ii) a unique indicator assigned to each of said predetermined locations within said first version of said document are stored;  
   b) a mechanism for receiving from an alternative device, a transmitted particular location indicator that corresponds to a location in an alternative version of said document;    c) a means of processing said transmitted particular location indicators so as to locate, in said first version of said document, the location indicator that corresponds to said particular location indicator transmitted by said alternative device;    d) a means for accessing the data in said first version of said document associated with said corresponding location indicator; and    e) a means of printing some portion of said document beginning with said data associated with said corresponding location indicator.    
   
   
       83 . The device described in  claim 82  in which said mechanism for receiving said particular location indicators from an alternative device is an optical scanning mechanism.  
   
   
       84 . The device described in  claim 82  in which said mechanism for receiving said particular location indicators from an alternative device is an electromagnetic receptor mechanism.  
   
   
       85 . The device described in  claim 82  in which said mechanism for receiving said particular location indicators from an alternative device is a manual data entry mechanism.  
   
   
       86 . The device described in  claim 82  in which said mechanism for receiving said particular location indicators from an alternative device is a voice recognition system.  
   
   
       87 . A device consisting of a: 
 a) a mechanism capable of receiving from an alternative device, a portion of a first version of a document and a particular location indicator that corresponds to a location in said first version of said document;    b) a means of processing said transmitted particular location indicators so as to locate, in said transmitted portion of said first version of said document, the location that corresponds to said particular location indicator transmitted by said alternative device;    c) a means for accessing the data in said first version of said document associated with said corresponding location indicator; and    d) a means of printing some portion of said document beginning with said data associated with said corresponding location indicator.    
   
   
       88 . The device described in  claim 87  in which said mechanism for receiving said portion of said first version of said document and said particular location indicators from an alternative device is an optical scanning mechanism.  
   
   
       89 . The device described in  claim 82  in which said mechanism for receiving said portion of said first version of said document and said particular location indicators from an alternative device is an electromagnetic receptor mechanism.  
   
   
       90 . The device described in  claim 82  in which said mechanism for receiving said portion of said first version of said document and said particular location indicators from an alternative device is a manual data entry mechanism.  
   
   
       91 . The device described in  claim 82  in which said mechanism for receiving said portion of said first version of said document and said particular location indicators from an alternative device is a voice recognition system.